O.K., first let’s look at the formal definition of “ignore:”
ig·nore (ĭg-nôr’, -nōr’)
tr.v. ig·nored, ig·nor·ing, ig·nores
To refuse to pay attention to; disregard.
Assuming your e-mail are typed properly and include business e-mail best practices, with the above in mind, if someone doesn’t respond to your e-mail, yes, you are being ignored — they are disregarding your communication. If you don’t respond to an e-mail — you are ignoring the Sender. It is sadly that simple.
Week in and week out I get concerned e-mails from site visitors about why they are not receiving responses to their e-mails. They are being ignored. They don’t like it. They think it is rude and they are right.
The other side of the coin says “I’m too busy…”, “I don’t have enough time…” or even “Yes, I choose to ignore some people and don’t care if they like it or not!” Why would any one of us want to be concerned about a person that is too busy for us, doesn’t have enough time for us or doesn’t care if we like being ignored or not? The answer to that is don’t be concerned with people who treat you in this manner.
As I type about all the time, we live in an “all about me” culture. Common courtesies that make one have to take time to consider how their actions (or lack thereof) may affect someone else have gone right out the door off-line. Why should online be any different!?
So to those who don’t like being ignored, move on. Why would you want to do business with someone who doesn’t reply to your communications? For those who ignore, know that by not taking the time to show some courtesy to those who take the time to e-mail you will reflect pm your business and your priorities. And don’t be surprised if those you ignore decide to return the favor.
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Yet another example of being wary of doing business with these people who “don’t have time” to reply to your e-mail. We all know how little time a simple acknowledgment takes. Are they really saying they can’t be bothered with you? Why give them the opportunity to not devote the time or attention or interest to your business! They may be very good at PR face-to-face, so take the advance warning of their e-mail practices before being hurt by their ‘real’ attitude and customer-policies.
I find it hard to trust a business that doesn’t seem to understand the importance of e-mail etiquette and it’s relation to customer service. As you correctly note, how they handle your e-mail inquiries will be an indication of what it will be like to do business with them. Especially considering technology is now an expected part of the total customer service package.
Great points, Rodney!